Barcelona Suing Newspaper over Lionel Messi Contract Leak

Lionel Messi’s isn’t very happy that his contract became public knowledge.

Over the weekend, a Spanish newspaper, El Mundo, published a story claiming they had knowledge of Messi’s contact with Barcelona. According to the article, Messi’s contract is set to end at the end of June, and can max out at €555,237,619 (US$673,919,105) over four seasons.

Lionel Messi was said to have accused the Barcelona club of the leak, a claim they have vehemently denied.

“In view of the information published today El Mundo, in relation to the professional contract signed between FC Barcelona and the player Lionel Messi, the club regrets its publication given that it is a private document governed by the principle of confidentiality between the parties.

“FC Barcelona categorically denies any responsibility for the publication of this document and will take appropriate legal action against the newspaper El Mundo, for any damage that may be caused as a result of this publication.

“FC Barcelona expresses its absolute support for Lionel Messi, especially in the face of any attempt to discredit his image, and to damage his relationship with the entity where he has worked to become the best player in the world and in football history,” the club said to ESPN.

The article by El Mundo painted Messi in a bad light, and blamed him for the city’s financial troubles. This led to Barcelona’s manager Ronald Koeman lashing out against the paper.

“More respect should be shown to a player that’s given so much to Spanish football. We must try and find out how the contract’s come out in the press.,” Koeman said after a news conference. “They are things that cannot come out. There are people that want to do us damage.

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Now, Barcelona and Messi are both expected to take legal action against the paper. While Barcelona may not be the cause of this leak, Messi’s future with the team is uncertain. Last Summer, Messi asked to leave the club, but ended up joining the team.

It seems unlikely that Barcelona will strike another deal with Lionel Messi, and he’ll be bound to have many suitors.

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